On August 12, 2026, the total solar eclipse will flash in a small part of the Northern Hemisphere, causing Greenland, Iceland and Spain to blink.
Overall, it can only last a few minutes, but planning a perfect eclipse trip can take months or years. So we ask Eclipse experts and experienced Eclipse chasers around the world about everything glory is needed.
Whether you're a beginner or a return “Umbraphile”, this guide will help you prepare for one of nature's greatest activities.
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Why location is everything
To witness the total solar eclipse, you must be on the narrow road of the whole – the moon completely obscures the sun's land. Even a 99% eclipse exposes the dazzling solar disk, and Corona's magic (the ghostly external atmosphere of the sun) is lost.
People in eastern Greenland might be on a cruise ship, almost certainly the Scoresby Sund, which is entirely within the whole. In Iceland, only the West Coast is on the road. For Spain, the road narrowly missed Madrid and Barcelona, but it crossed some of the most remote and beautiful areas of the country. However, in Spain, the solar eclipse occurs shortly before sunset, so there is a risk that it is too low.
Related: Where can I see the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026?
“Many national parks are in mountainous areas, which may hinder your view, which is not ideal for solar eclipse,” said Oscar Martín Mesonero, an expert in Astrotourism and Eclipse chaser who runs Startrails in Salamanca, south of the path. “But Spain has many beautiful rural areas with open skies, old towns, Roman aqueducts and castles – perfect for combining eclipse chases with travel.”
Cruise and Greenland
Greenland Scoresby Sund will be on the path of a 2026 solar eclipse. (Photo source: NASA Worldview)
There will also be thousands of people on the cruise ship. In any case, many people usually drive into the Mediterranean and adjust their itinerary to be along the coast of Spain. However, finding a clear view can be trickier.
“The prospects on the land are better than the ocean,” said Jay Anderson, a Canadian meteorologist and experienced Eclipse chaser. “But even with high average cloud coverage, satellite images often indicate that there are always some clear skies.” Images from geostationary Eumetsat satellites are crucial to finding clear locations.
It is important where the boat is. The most likely cloudy place on the track is on the Greenland coast and anywhere on the Atlantic Ocean, but clear skies are more likely to be in northern Spain and are likely in the Mediterranean.
Related: Best Eclipse Total 2026 Cruise for the Final Adventure
For the spirit of adventure, Greenland offers pristine Arctic landscapes, and for adventure-style raiders in Scoresby Sund, the total solar eclipse totals about 2 minutes and 17 seconds, with sunlight about 25 degrees above the western horizon. It's a trip to the wish list, not just a solar eclipse, but also a high cost to travel, and it's experienced Eclipse chasers who want something new and exciting. With travel and logistics mastery, the only problem is the weather.
“It is not unreasonable to expect decent conditions, as air flowing out of the ice sheet and into the ocean tends to dry out and clear the clouds,” Anderson said of Scoresby Sund. “But if a large weather system comes in, it can cover the entire sky and stay for a few days.” Hopefully, no; Scoresby Sund has never seen a solar eclipse since 1187, and it won't be witnessed again after 2026 until 2911.
Iceland
Iceland's west coast will be on the road to a solar eclipse in 2026. (Photo source: NASA Worldview)
Iceland offers one of the most photogenic landscapes on Earth, including waterfalls, volcanoes and geothermal spas, and has the longest whole on land in 2 minutes and 13.7 seconds. This will be the first solar eclipse in Iceland since 1954. The solar eclipse also appears 25 degrees above the southwest horizon, so there is no need to worry about sight.
“This road passes through the most populous area of the country, with about 290,000 people,” said Sævar Helgi Bragason, Iceland's most famous Eclipse chaser. Only the west of the country – Reykjanes Peninsula, Snevsnis Peninsula and Westford County. The main roads are very good, but mobility can be a problem.
“Tourism has caused losses on many single lanes, and we expect heavy traffic,” Saval said. “Eclipse chasers won't be a problem because they will know where to go. But Eclipse on Wednesday, locals may stop working around noon and drive anywhere they want to go.”
This means a lot of traffic, so enter the path as early as possible. Lately, the solar eclipse is consistent with Icelandic culture. “Nature here is so unpredictable – we could have a volcanic eruption on the same day; Saval said it was a real possibility, so we usually don't prepare for anything until very late.”
Another problem with Iceland is the weather. “There is a saying in Iceland that if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change completely,” Saval said. “Even storms can sometimes be broken down by plaques. When we chase the northern lights in winter, we are bombarded by the snowstorm for a few minutes and then cleared.” Iceland's weather forecast for the Iceland Metropolitan Office, which also provides Aurora's predictions.
“Iceland rarely covers fully in August – there will always be a hole somewhere,” Anderson said. He believes it may be possible to stay in Reykjavik on the road and drive north for 2 and a half hours until the weather is predicted to be clear. “Western Iceland is the clearest part, but there is a lot of moisture, so get close to the water on one of these peninsulas to have a bit of land flow.”
Spain
Northeast Spain will be on the path of a total solar eclipse in 2026. (Photo source: NASA Worldview)
Most travelers will travel to Spain for the 2026 solar eclipse. Overall Road – The first in Spain since 1905 – from Galicia to Catalonia, it spans the diagonal of the northeastern part of the country, with the longest duration (about 1 minute and 44 seconds) happening before sunset.
Terrain is important. Eduard Masana Fresno, an astronomer at the Institute of Cosmic Science in Barcelona: “Spain is the second mountainous country in Europe.” “There are the Cantabria Mountains to the north of the path, the Messeta Plateau north of Madrid and the Iberian system to the east of the path.”
In the eastern region and Majorca, even modest hills may prevent solar eclipses altogether. However, the Spanish Institute of Geography’s new eclipse viewing map takes up the topography, atmospheric refraction and azimuth (placed on the horizon) to help observers avoid obstructing their view. There is another reason to avoid shadowy valleys and eastern slopes of the mountains: August is common, although the average August cloud coverage throughout the path is less than 50%.
Traveling in and around Spain will be very easy, but remember that there will be a lot of locals going to eclipse suns, especially from Madrid and Barcelona. “Love trips in Spain, many of which will be on vacation on the trail,” Mesonero said. “People from all over Spain will head to the road, and accommodation can be tricky – it's the peak of the holiday.” He hopes there will be solar eclipse events throughout the road, even in the whole of just 30 seconds near the edge.
Speaking from the Eclipse chasers in Spain, one thing is clear: after Eclipse, don't try to drive back to Madrid or Barcelona or you might be in line with millions of people. Instead, stay overnight on the path. Another reason for this is the perseid meteor shower, which peaked from August 12 to 13 just a few hours after the solar eclipse. The rural sky will also display the arches of the Milky Way arches arched in the southern sky.
Think like a suitor
Wherever you go, Eclipse experts agree with three key strategies: Plan ahead, check weather forecasts and stay moving. Whether you are chasing solar eclipse from the Spanish plains, the wild coast of Iceland or the icy fjords of Greenland, witnessing the 2026 solar eclipse will be your whole life in total. And if you missed this or want to plan your next adventure, there will be another chance soon: Spain will just happen to experience another solar eclipse after a year on August 2, 2027.